Butte to take on Modesto at home
Roadrunners look to rebound after road loss to San Mateo
After last week’s road loss to College of San Mateo, the Butte College football team will return home today to take on Modesto Junior College.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Cowan Stadium.
Butte opened its season on the road with a win over College of the Sequoias before winnings its season opener against Laney College of Oakland. After the loss to College of San Mateo, the Roadrunners will look to return to winning ways against Modesto.
Both teams have a 2-1 record and are side-by-side in both the Junior College Athletic Bureau Coaches poll, as well as the California Community College Sports Information Association poll.
In the Junior College Athletic Bureau Coaches poll Butte dropped one spot to No. 10 after last week’s loss, while Modesto ranks 13. In the California Community College Sports Information Association poll Butte dropped four spots to 14. Modesto ranks one spot above the Roadrunners in the CCCSIA poll at 13.
Butte’s offensive attack has been led by its passing and quarterback Brian Harper. The Roadrunners have recorded five passing touchdowns and are yet to score on the ground. Through three games Harper has a 58.3% completion percentage and 511 yards passing. Harper has thrown
for five touchdowns and one interception.
Two of those touchdowns have come to tight end Jace Villapania, who has a team-high seven receptions for 88 yards thus far. Fellow tight end and Pleasant Valley alumnus Austin York has a teamhigh 114 yards receiving on six catches. The leading wide receiver for the Roadrunners has been D.J. Jackson who has recorded six catches for 89 yards and a
touchdown.
Butte’s leading rusher is sophomore running back Johnny Williams. Williams has rushed 40 times for 153 yards through three games. Harper has added 82 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
Modesto’s offensive is nearly even in rushing and passing yards, with 606 yards thrown and 609 yards on the ground.
The Roadrunner defense has allowed just 52 points while the Pirates have allowed 116 points in three games thus far.
Amongst the 64 schools competing in the California Community College Association,
both Modesto and Butte rank in the top-20 in third down conversion rate. The Roadrunners have converted 18-of-43 for 42%, and the Pirates have converted 25-of-51 times.
Butte’s defense has been strong to start the season, as it is tied for third in fumble recoveries in the CCCAA with five, has six sacks and its secondary has recorded three interceptions.
On special teams, Butte has split time between a pair of freshman kickers from Pleasant Valley High in Dante Jackson and Gabe Estabrook. Estabrook is
2-of-3 on field goals and 5-of-5 of point after attempts. Jackson is 2-of-4 on field goals and takes care of punting and kickoff duties. Jackson made a 51-yard field goal in Butte’s season opener Sept. 4 against College of the Sequoias, the second longest field goal of the season in the CCCAA.
Today’s game will be broadcast and streamed on norcalsportstv.com.
Following the matchup Butte will travel to Fresno City College to take on the Rams at Ratcliffe Stadium in Fresno, before beginning Golden Valley Conference play Oct. 16 in Santa Rosa.